Origin and Habitat: Comes from dry rocky locations of northwestern Sonora, Mexico in the Sierra del Viejo and the adjoining Sierra Aquituni Mountains.

• Agave zebra Gentry

Description: Fast growing medium size agave to 90-120 cm tall and in diameter.
Leaves: Long recurved grey, characteristically "V" shaped in cross section with prominent teeth along the margin and beautifully cross-barred with broad bands of silvery green. . The bands become more pronounced in full sun.

Cultivation and Propagation: It is a stunning specimen plant for containers or a well drained spot in the garden. It tend to be slow grower, but worth the effort. Grow it in porous soil with adequate drainage. Itdo well in full sun or a lightly shaded area. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. In winter watering this plant can be done once every 1-2 months, there is no need to mist the leaves. It is theoretically hardy to -3° C, particularly when dry but it is best to avoid severe freezing temperatures. Heat Tolerance: good.
Propagation: Relatively easy to propagate by seeds or by suckers (if available) Remove the basal suckers in spring or summer and let the cuttings dry for a few days before inserting in compost.. only problem is the logistics of getting to the suckers - very sharp spines and suckers usually right up against, or underneath the mother plant.
Uses: These striking plants are wonderful when used for accent or simply to provide some all year round foliage colour and often used in a pot as a patio plant, they make an eye-catching statement and along with other evergreen plants in pots, can be moved around to change the scenery or position to give more shelter.